UT Matters. Headlines and happenings from around the System

University leaders and the Rio Grande Valley delegation of legislators celebrated the key first step to making a South Texas university a reality: filing both the House and Senate bills that will establish the UT System’s newest institution.

"This gift truly saves lives," said Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, in response to the Jan. 30 announcement by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation of a $50 million committment to establish the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.

“Investments in medical education, biomedical research and health care touch all citizens. Nobody has done more for the people of Central Texas than Michael and Susan Dell. Their generosity not only benefits UT, it also lifts up our entire community.”

A group of UT Dallas freshmen are participating in one of The University of Texas System’s Transformation in Medical Education (TIME) pilot programs that links medical schools with four-year colleges to reduce the financial burden for students seeking a medical degree.

The Texas Legislature, which meets every two years, is back in session and that means that UT System officials will be venturing into the State Capitol on a regular basis to answer questions from lawmakers and discuss higher education priorities, challenges and opportunities.

According to a report submitted by a 13-member committee, chaired by Steve Rohleder, chief executive of Accenture Health and Public Service, and appointed by UT Austin President Bill Powers, The University of Texas at Austin could generate as much as $490 million in savings and new revenue over a decade while enhancing its excellence in teaching and research.

Describing his exposure to a liberal arts curriculum during his college years as “transformative,” Chancellor Cigarroa addressed colleagues in the American Academy Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences during a Jan. 12 conference in Chicago. Read excerpts from his speech:

I was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and educated in public schools. When I was growing up, Laredo was ranked as the poorest city in the nation. In my wildest dreams as a child, I never imagined I would attend an Ivy League university or serve on prominent national commissions.

Two executive police officers from The University of Texas System are among16 nationwide finalists for the 2012 Director of the Year award, a prestigious recognition sponsored by Campus Safety magazine.